A balanced diet is essential for good health
Bird nutrition is vital to ensure both physical health and mental well-being. While exact nutritional needs vary by species, general guidelines help create a balanced and safe diet for companion birds.
Pet birds tend to pick and choose their food, often selecting only their favorites, which may not meet their actual dietary requirements. This is why a properly balanced diet is crucial.
Tips for a smooth diet transition
Changing your bird’s diet takes time. To encourage new food acceptance:
- Introduce new items gradually
- Pair them with playtime or mealtimes with the family
- Pretend to eat the food yourself—birds often mimic their owners
- Be patient and consistent
Foraging: encourage natural feeding behavior
In the wild, birds spend hours searching for food. This natural behavior, called foraging, is key to mental stimulation. You can recreate this at home by:
- Hiding food in toys or paper
- Varying food placement and presentation
- Using food-dispensing or puzzle toys
Foraging helps prevent boredom and behavioral issues.
🥗 Bird Nutrition: Recommended Foods
1. Seeds: limit their intake
Although birds love them, seeds are high in fat and low in essential nutrients. Birds often remove the shells but don’t eat the nutritious inner parts.
- ✅ Limit seeds to 20% of the total diet
- ✅ Choose mixes with at least 5 seed varieties
- ✅ Store in a cool, dry place
2. Pellets: the foundation of a healthy diet
Commercial pellets are formulated to meet all nutritional needs and prevent selective feeding.
- ✅ Should make up 60–80% of daily intake
- ✅ Avoids nutrient deficiencies
- ✅ Small parrots: around 60%
- ✅ Large parrots: up to 80%
3. Vegetables and fruits: essential additions
- 🥕 Vitamin A-rich vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, bell peppers
- 🌿 Dark leafy greens: spinach, parsley
- 🍓 Fruits: offer small amounts (except for species like lorikeets that require more). Choose nutrient-rich fruits like berries, mango, or apricot
4. Other foods and supplements
- Nuts: important for large parrots (e.g., macaws, cockatoos); offer in-shell to encourage beak activity
- Sprouted seeds: nutritious and well-liked
- Supplements: usually unnecessary if the diet is balanced. Ask your vet if needed.
🚫 Foods to avoid
Some foods are toxic or dangerous to birds and should be completely avoided:
- Avocado
- Chocolate
- Coffee and tea
- Onions and garlic
- Salty, sugary, or processed foods
- Some peanuts and corn (may contain harmful mold or toxins)
🔄 Transitioning from seeds to pellets
If your bird is used to a seed-only diet, switch gradually:
- Days 1–3: 90% seeds / 10% pellets
- Every 3 days: increase pellets by 10%
- Monitor weight: weigh your bird weekly to prevent unhealthy loss
- Encouragement: soften pellets with juice or pretend to eat them yourself
⏳ Be patient—some birds take weeks or even months to fully transition.
✅ Conclusion
A balanced diet is the foundation of your bird’s long-term health. Use high-quality pellets as the base, add vegetables and fruits, and limit seeds. For personalized advice, speak with your avian veterinarian.
